The Company Journal

and "The Feederline"

Fire Department News

Cambridge, Massachusetts

A Class 1 Fire Department

From the desk of

Chief Gerald R. Reardon

Issue #73 Winter 2014

Note: This edition of the Company Journal/Feederline is an abbreviated edition. It may be missing features normally seen in past issues. Rest assured, those features will return with the Spring 2015 Issue. Thank you. Good luck Good luck to all those that took the Lieutenants and Captains exam in November 2014. The hard work is done and it’s out of your hands now. Enjoy the holidays with your family! Christmas Parties Kids Christmas Party –Sunday December 14, 2014

11AM-2PM VFW Post Huron Ave Cambridge Santa will arrive at 12PM Please bring a wrapped present for your children Light refreshments will be served

Group 1 and Group 3 Christmas Party was on December 11 at the Marsh Post Group 2 and Group 4 Christmas Party was on held on December 6, 2015

Photo provided

Group 2 Christmas party was held on December 6. DFC Paul Sheehan (Division 2, Group 4),

DFC Frank Murphy (Division 2, Group 4) and FF Kevin McGonigal-Retired

What's New

Department photo

CFD Members of Recruit Class #218 pose on academy graduation day on October 10, 2014.

Photo provided

CFD Members of Recruit class #219 pose on graduation day!

SAVE THE DATE! - THE 2015 CAMBRIDGE FIREFIGHTERS RELIEF ASSOCIATION BALL

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 14, 2015

More information to follow as it becomes available!

Please share the date with any past members, retirees or any familiar members that may be

interested in attending!

Out and About

Photo by Captain Mark Roche, Newton Fire

Cambridge contingent attend the 50th-anniversary Mass at St Francis De Sales Church in Charlestown on October 5, 2014 for the five Boston firefighters killed after a building collapse on Trumbull St in the South End (October 1, 1964 - Box 1671)

Anyone recognize this handsome young (retired) Firefighter? – Answer at end of newsletter

Photo courtesy of Dan O’Neill, Boston Sparks Association

FF Steve Capuccio (Rescue Co.1) and Lt. Bob Golden (Rescue Co.1) after the 2nd Alarm

Fire, Box 35 at 158 Magazine Street on December 2, 2014

Photo courtesy of Dan O’Neill, Boston Sparks Association

FF Craig Yearwood (Aide to Division 2) and Lt. Dave Pierce (FIU) on Magazine Street

Congratulations

Congratulations to FF Jeremy Collins (Ladder Co. No. 2) on his strong performance in the television show Survivor! Even though he did not make it to the end, he played an excellent game and represented the Cambridge Fire Department well by playing with integrity and character! He was a popular member and was well liked. His wife Val also participated in the show.

Photo from CBS

Cambridge Fire Hockey Shenanigans Monday, Dec 15, 9:20 PM Everett Tuuka Dump Tuesday, Dec 23 8:10 PM Everett Metro Fire Tuesday, January 06 10:30 PM Everett Shanks Monday, January 12 9:20 PM Everett Five Minute Majors Monday January 19 10:30 PM Everett Beer O’Clock Monday January 26 10:40 PM Everettt Shenanigans Monday, February 2 10:30 PM Malden Forum Mustangs Monday February 9 10:30 pm Everett PIA Monday, February 16 10:30 PM Everett JHF Monday, March 2 9:10 PM Everett Mustangs Monday, March 9 10:20 PM Hockeytown USA Chiefs Monday, March 16 10:20 PM Hockeytown USA Consider attending a game and supporting the folks that represent the department!

Honor Guard All Members, Please see the message below from FF Tim Norton; Ladder Co. 3, Group 3. Brothers and Sisters, The Cambridge Fire Department Honor Guard will be undergoing some changes and is seeking members that are interested in participating on a regular basis. We will soon be losing FF Souza to retirement so FF Matt McDonald and myself will be picking up the program. Presently, we are compiling a list of interested members to join an honor guard that would set the standard for Fire Department Honor Guards. For those that don't know or haven't ever participated in an Honor Guard before this is how we remember and honor the men and women who came before us and shaped the job we have today. You don't need any experience to join - just a willingness to learn! If you are interested in participating in regular training, services and ceremonies please respond to this email with the following: Full Name, Mobile Phone, Email (preferred) and any experience you have. Please indicate in the email if you are a veteran and what service you served. To clarify, this is open to all members of the department both active, retired, military or non-military. Any questions or concerns please direct them to myself. Respectfully, FF Norton L-3/G-3 M.617.909.7190 Quotes of the Day “Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” – Theodore Roosevelt “Teamwork divides the task and multiplies the success.” – unknown “Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it. Autograph your work with excellence.”-unknown “Every accomplishment starts with a decision to try.” – unknown

Trivia This formidable looking piece of equipment had an important job in the glory days of firefighting. Answer at the end of the newsletter….

From the Archives

Photo courtesy of DFC Frank Lee, Somerville FD

Photo of Cambridge Fire Alarm in 1984 giving METROFire a progress report on the 5th alarm at World Tire in East Cambridge. It was the second multiple alarm of the Midnight to 8 tour!

Pictured are: L-R Mike Cullen now Boston FD and (seated facing away) John McCarthy, now Lt Worcester FD, (middle standing) and seated facing camera, now District Chief Frank Lee, Somerville FD.

The following two photos are from the photo albums of FF Walter Grace (Aide to Division 2)- Retired

Companies prepare to make entry at a 2nd alarm fire on Morrison Court. Box 797 on October 21, 1989

DFC J. Gelinas (Chief of Operations) had this to add to the photo:

Morrison Ct. was my fire (I was the IC, working in Division 2 at that time). If I remember correctly, the fire started in the basement due to a furnace malfunction and was well advanced on arrival of the FD, extending up into the upper floors. I forget the date but it was during below-freezing weather. It might have been a third alarm but I can't recall that for sure either. The year may have been the late '80s or early '90s. there were so many fires - much of it is a big blur. The box was 797.

What can go wrong? There were several issues at the beginning. Somerville Engine 6 was first-due on the line box. Somerville Engine 6 pump laid in and positioned almost IFO the building. They could not get the apparatus into pump. They had been dispatched to the fire while returning from the shop due to a problem with the pump. The mechanics responded and got the pump into pump. Next-due Cambridge Engine 4 was running wagon only that day. The pump was OOS for mechanical reasons. (These were the days of two-piece companies.) Engine 4 wrapped a hydrant on Gold Star Road and laid down Morrison Ct. to the fire but they could not establish a permanent water supply, in order to flow a 2 1/2" attack line. Next due Engine 8 was ordered to pick up Engine 4's hydrant to supply Engine 4's wagon. That took a few extra minutes. Fourth due Engine 1 was ordered to take the hydrant on Washburn Avenue and to stretch a 2 1/2" attack line via the back yards from Washburn Av. to Morrison Ct. Engine 1's hydrant was frozen. They did get the line into operation but it took a few minutes longer to relocate the pump to a working hydrant to establish the permanent water supply. I don't remember who the pump operator was but he was pretty sharp to find a working hydrant.

In spite of the initial issues, all members from the engines, trucks, and rescue did an excellent job to contain and knock down the fire.

Today we are very fortunate. Apparatus is modern and in great shape, very well maintained, and reliable when needed. The hydrants in the city are well maintained and the public water supply has been greatly improved. Years ago (ancient history it seems) some of the apparatus was old and unreliable.

3 Story wood-frame fire is at Walden Street near Sherman Street, 3 alarms – unknown date

Equipment In lieu of a Captain’s Corner segment, we wanted to share a tidbit of information regarding power saws. Recently, one fire company reported a saw that ran for one group and not for another. There are only a few areas to troubleshoot (or repair within the company) when it comes to maintenance on power equipment within the company.

1. Check/fill fuel 2. Check/tighten spark plug

3. Check and clean air filter 4. Tighten blade

Any other required maintenance should be directed to the motor squad. When checking a saw that won’t start, it’s either out of fuel, flooded or the spark plug could be loose. However, in this case, the TIP of the spark plug is threaded and vibrates loose – NOT the main plug itself - making for a poor connection – which explains why the saw worked intermittently.

On the left shows the spark plug when the top vibrates off. On the right is what the spark plug should look like with the tip tightened down. To have the best connection, the tip AND the plug need to be tight. Once tight, simply, push the wire back on tightly

In Issue #59, Summer of 2009, we listed many manufacturers from Cambridge that contributed to the fire equipment business. Carpenter Manufacturing was also one of those. Located at 29

Sidney Street, this was one of their advertisements from 1944.

Through the Lantern Lens

Through the Lantern Lens by Mose Humphrey Excerpt from the City of Cambridge Fire Report, 1857:

Condolences to:

Lt. Matthew Wood; Squad Co. 4 on the passing of his Mother, Mrs. Dolores Wood

Firefighter Donald Johnson; Engine Co. 8 on the passing of his Mother,

Mrs. Jean D. Johnson

FF Daniel O’Brien; Engine Co. 4 on the passing of his Uncle, Eugene K. O’Brien

Also the son of the late Deputy Fire Chief Cornelius J. O’Brien,

and Brother of Cambridge Police Officer Timothy O’Brien

Deputy Fire Chief Stephen Leonard on the passing of his Mother, Mrs. Helen Leonard

Firefighter Frederick Donahue; Engine Co. 9-Retired and

Firefighter James Donahue; Ladder Co. 2-Retired on the passing if Fred’s Daughter and James Sister,

Mrs. Cheryl Ann (Donahue) Salemi

Firefighter James E. Fitzgerald Jr.; Aide to Deputy Chief-Retired on the passing of his Wife, Mrs. Ruth Fitzgerald

Firefighter Edward B. Morrissey; Ladder Co. 2-Retired, on the passing of his wife,

Mrs. Frances (Pat) Morrissey

Also Mother of Deputy Chief Edward B. Morrissey Jr.; Division 1

Captain Robert Morrissey; Engine Co. 4 Chief of Department Brian Morrissey; Nashua, NH Fire Department

Grandmother of Firefighter Edward B. Morrissey III; Ladder Co. 3

Aunt of Deputy Chief Michael Morrissey; Division 1

Great-Aunt of Firefighter Daniel O’Brien; Engine Co. 4

To the family of Mrs. Bernice Reagan

Widow of the late Daniel J. Reagan; Chief of Department-Retired

Mother of Lt. Daniel J. Reagan III; Cambridge Police Department

(Lt. Reagan was appointed to the Cambridge Fire Department in March 1983

Stats and Fires

FY 2014/2015 RUN TOTALS

Jul-14

Aug-14

Sep-14

Oct-14

Nov-14

Dec-14 SBTTL TOTAL

Engine 1 232 199 209 188 828 828

Engine 2 301 274 294 296 1165 1165

Engine 3 124 142 119 129 514 514

Engine 4 155 126 141 108 530 530

Engine 5 160 155 154 141 610 610

Engine 6 121 115 123 102 461 461

Engine 8 121 101 86 103 411 411

Engine 9 104 79 70 76 329 329

Truck 1 200 171 165 177 713 713

Truck 2 109 83 92 108 392 392

Truck 3 183 192 198 176 749 749

Truck 4 162 131 131 105 529 529

Rescue 1 209 172 218 213 812 812

Squad 2 305 274 297 276 1152 1152

Squad 4 141 147 150 127 565 565

Division 1 177 128 164 153 622 622

Division 2 151 109 103 116 479 479

HazMat 1 3 4 1 4 12 12

Spec & HQ Units 26 19 18 15 78 78

Mutual Aid Units 61 15 20 8 104 104

TOTAL 3045 2636 2753 2621 0 0 11055 11055

FY 2014/2015 Incident Totals

Jul-14

Aug-14

Sep-14

Oct-14

Nov-14

Dec-14 SBTTL TOTAL

Responses 3045 2636 2753 2621 11055 11055

Incidents 1317 1162 1223 1162 4864 4864

Division 1 incidents 705 674 709 655 2743 2743

Division 2 incidents 612 488 514 507 2121 2121

Building fires 5 11 7 4 27 27

Inside fires 67 61 68 72 268 268

All fires 83 66 81 80 310 310

EMS 497 498 554 509 2058 2058

Elevator Rescue 16 7 10 11 44 44

Hazardous materials 23 14 22 17 76 76

CO emerg 5 0 7 6 18 18

Electrical hazards 54 28 35 39 156 156

Malicious false 23 19 19 11 72 72

Malfunction 171 144 141 113 569 569

Unintentional 137 145 87 129 498 498

Bomb threats/susp 40 17 32 25 114 114

Bomb/expl removal 0 0

Structure collapse 1 1 1

Total Multiple Alarms 1 1 1

2nd Alarms 0 0

3rd Alarms 0 0

4th Alarms 0 0

5th Alarms 0 0

9th Alarms 1 1 1

Working Fires 1 1 1

HM Lev 1 "Working" 0 0

FY 2014/2015 "Code 111" Building Fire TOTALS

Jul-14 Aug-14 Sep-14

Oct-14 Nov-14 Dec-14 SBTTL TOTAL

Engine 1 3 2 1 2 8 8

Engine 2 2 10 5 2 19 19

Engine 3 1 2 1 1 5 5

Engine 4 2 1 1 2 6 6

Engine 5 4 7 5 1 17 17

Engine 6 4 7 3 2 16 16

Engine 8 2 1 1 2 6 6

Engine 9 3 0 0 2 5 5

Truck 1 4 7 3 3 17 17

Truck 2 2 2 2 0 6 6

Truck 3 4 9 5 2 20 20

Truck 4 3 1 1 2 7 7

Rescue 1 4 8 4 3 19 19

Squad 2 2 7 4 2 15 15

Squad 4 4 6 1 3 14 14

Division 1 3 9 6 18 18

Division 2 3 2 1 2 8 8

Photo courtesy of Dan O’Neill, Boston Sparks

Command Staff at the 2nd alarm fire - Box 35, for 158 Magazine Street on December 2, 2014. L-R, Assistant Chief G. Mahoney, DFC P. Sheehan (Division 2) and DFC P. Donovan (Fire

Prevention)

FY 2014/2015 - Working Fires/Multiple Alarms

Date Box Assignment Address Size-up fire location

27-Jul-14 9 - 344 Allston St.

Box @ 0322 E2,6,5 - T3,1 - R1, SQ2 - D1 151,153,155,157

3 sty wf (blt 1920) throughout

159 3 sty wf (blt1903) throughout

2nd @ 0328 E1,3,9 - T2 - SQ4 - D2 163

2 1/2 sty wf (blt 1854) throughout

147 3 sty wf slight

3rd @ 0332 E4,8,Som3 - T4,Som1 - SomC3

4th @ 0339 Eng: WatE1, BelE1

Truck: BosT15 - Chf: Bos Dist4

Response was 27 Engines 11 Truck

Co's

5th @ 0339 Eng: WalE2, BosE51, ArlE2

Truck: Brookline T2 DFC M.

Morrissey was IC

6th @ 0400 Eng: Bos E10,E22, WalE1, NewE1

Truck: Waltham T2

7th @ 0406 Eng: MalE1, MedE5,SaugE1

Truck: Medford T1

8th @ 0409 Eng: LogMsptE5, RevE1, LexE4

Truck: Malden T1

9th @ 0435 Eng: WinE4,LynE9,MelE2

Truck: Chelsea T1

A/O @ 1655

29-Jul-14 "45" - 691 1688 Mass. Av. 1 sty b@w flr#1

Box @ 1808 E8,1,4 - T4,1 - R1, SQ4 - D2 restrnt -taxpayer

"45" @ 1819 E9 - T2 -SQ2 - D1 built 1940

A/O @ DFC Sheehan was IC

Promotions

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Assignments/Transfers

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Retirements

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Letters

Safety Many of the older multi-family buildings in Cambridge were built in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Their decorative and functional equipment reflects the design and engineering of the era. While at 1820 Mass. Ave recently on a separate call, we discovered horizontal, sliding fire doors that are actually quite common in many older buildings. Released by a fusible link during a fire, they were meant to contain the fire, or as we call it today, “compartmentalize”. However, many lack proper maintenance.

The green arrow shows the pocket where the standard sliding door is stored (similar to a “pocket door”) that slides along a horizontal track. In this case, the fusible link has a dual purpose. When the heavy sliding door closes, it also pulls on the chain through a pulley

(outlined in red) and closes a swinging door at the same time. So the “action” of one fusible link actually closes two doors.

Due to years of neglect, this door would most likely not close even if needed. However, we must

always be aware that if doors are properly maintained and operating, they could potentially close behind on crews advancing during firefighting, rescue or ventilation and are heavy and difficult to move should we need a hasty exit. This door on the first floor would most not likely

budge due to the paint and dirt buildup, or lack of maintenance on the door roller.

Of Interest… Ode to a Firehouse By Karen Dempsey – blog from Brain, Child – the magazine for thinking mothers. Nov 19, 2014 Remembering and reflecting upon the daily visits to the neighborhood firehouse

Photo John Parise

“Oh, they’re putting up lights,” nine-year-old Liddy says as we walk past Station Four, her hand loosely holding mine. Several firefighters are working to untangle the glittering strings they hang every November. Watching, I realize how long it’s been since we paid much attention to this place that was once an everyday destination for us. “Do you guys remember how much time we used to spend there?” Brennan shrugs and smiles. “Kind of.” Liddy was born when Brennan was just eighteen months old, a toddler on the go. While Liddy needed to nap and eat and snuggle, Brennan needed to be on the move. We went to gymnastics and music and story times and play groups. None measured up to his favorite outing, which was free, always open, and located just a few blocks away. Rain, snow, hail or sleet, we would make our way over, with Brennan stomping through puddles, crunching over snow or, on lazier days, riding in back of the double stroller. If we were very lucky, someone might call out, “Hey buddy!” through the wide bay doors. “Come on in.” Then Brennan might get to hold a heavy helmet, wrestle with a huge pair of boots or even get a boost into the enormous front seat, where he would sit wide-eyed and dazzled by the array of switches and buttons. Once, one of the guys teased Brennan about his spot behind Liddy in the stroller. “Your sister’s got you stuck in the cheap seats again,” he laughed. “That’s what we’re calling you from now on. Cheap Seats.”

If the truck was out on a call, Brennan would stand on the sidewalk dejectedly, willing it to return. “Ahh,” he would sigh happily if we caught them coming back, with all the pomp and flash involved in getting their truck backed in to its resting place. Our visits always ended with Brennan happy and satisfied, and worn out with the excitement. And with me thinking about how far a small act of kindness could go, offered quietly alongside everyday heroics. Like my own memory from decades before, when paramedics were attending to my grandmother after she’d had a stroke. I stood with my younger sister on our grandmother’s porch, trying to feign an adult’s expression of calm, only to have a fireman walk up the steps in his heavy gear and fold me in a hug. It’s hard for me to believe nearly ten years have passed since those walks over to the firehouse. I’m not sure how much he remembers of those visits, but they remain vivid for me, and one stands out in particular. It was the time we happened upon Brennan’s heroes in action as they put out a fire in an abandoned triple-decker just a few blocks from our house. I felt a little self-conscious about letting Brennan gaze out over the scene like it was entertainment, so I kept him back a ways, telling him we wouldn’t stay long. Then one of the firefighters who was gathering up a line called out, “Hey, I know that guy!” To my embarrassment, and to Brennan’s delight, he had recognized us. “We spend a lot of time at the fire station,” I explained, red-faced, to a laughing neighbor. After an enthusiastic wave, the firefighter moved on to get the work done and I tugged at Brennan and told him it was time to get going. “Your friends will be leaving soon too,” I told him. “Heading to the firehouse. But we’ll see them tomorrow, I’m sure.” America’s Heroes – Hugh Bonner Medal Editor note: Only a small number of Firefighters ever get the privilege to “make a save.” Even rarer are those that make two rescues on two different days – much less in one year! We have included TWO rescues that FF Musacchio made during 2013.

FF Vincent Musacchio, Ladder 23 received the Hugh Bonner Medal/Honor Legion Medal for a rescue he made on May 31, 2013 in the Bronx. Later that year he made another rescue in September 2013 and was also awarded the Walter Scott Medal. Appointed to the FDNY on March 7, 2004. Previously assigned to Engine 62. He is an instructor in the Fitness Unit. Resides in Yorktown Heights, New York, with his wife, Ashley.

FF Vincent A. Musacchio was working a day tour in Ladder 32 on the morning of May 31, 2013. When the alarm rang out for Box 3671 at 1043 hours, with a report of a structural fire, all thoughts of the retirement party he was planning to attend that night were vanquished. FF Musacchio was assigned the outside vent position as the company responded and heard Engine 62, the first-arriving unit, transmit a 10-75 for a working fire at the Box. Heavy smoke was billowing from all three floors as members pulled up in front of the private dwelling and FF Musacchio noticed that there also was heavy smoke pushing out from the rear of the building. Grabbing a 24-foot extension ladder and his tools, the Firefighter made his way through a similar building next door and into the rear yard. When he arrived at the rear of the building, he witnessed two men screaming for help. One of them was badly burned on his neck and back because he had been inside and self-evacuated from the fire building. The other man was screaming that his father was still trapped inside. FF Musacchio quickly informed the Incident Commander, Battalion Chief Christopher Rearer, Battalion 27, and his Officer, Lieutenant James Caddigan, Ladder 32 covering,of the trapped occupant and requested medical assistance forthe burn victim. The Firefighter sized up the situation: There was heavy fire and smoke pouring from the rear door and two rear windows that would prevent anyone else from getting out and making it nearly impossible for him to enter. Absorbing this information, Lieutenant Caddigan and the forcible entry team tried to enter the front of the fire building to reach the victim, but they were forced back by the heavy volume of fire and smoke blocking their way. When FF Musacchio heard this, he knew that the only chance the victim had was for him to remove him from the rear. Crawling under the flames lapping over his head and in zero visibility in the cluttered premises, FF Musacchio made a quick sweep of the living room area, but was forced out by the intense heat. Grabbing a garden hose in the rear yard, he directed one of the men to use it on the fire, while he entered a second time to search. He made a partial search of the left side of the bedroom as far as he could reach, but the garden hose was no match for the roaring inferno and, again, he was forced to exit the blaze. Mustering all his strength and courage, FF Musacchio again entered the highly charged atmosphere, this time working along the right side of the bedroom in hopes of reaching the victim. Finding the bed, he gave it a quick sweep, as the fire was burning him and heating the air in his self-contained breathing apparatus. Realizing that no one could survive under these horrible conditions for long, the rescuer pushed on and his sweep of the floor area was rewarded with the discovery of an adult male, face down between the bed and a dresser. Transmitting a 10-45 signal to let everyone know he had reached the victim, FF Musacchio began to drag the man toward the rear and safety. By the time FF Musacchio had reached the rear door and transferred the victim to waiting medical assistance, the engine company had water on the fire and alleviated the conditions enough for him to enter one more time and make sure there were no other victims. Emergency Medical Technicians rushed the victim to the hospital.

Without a hose-line in place, FF Vincent A. Musacchio completely disregarded his own safety and withstood the grueling heat and smoke three different times in a determined effort to bring the victim to safety. For his bravery, courage and tenacity in reaching and removing the man from the blaze, the FDNY is proud to award the Hugh Bonner Medal and Honor Legion Medal to FF Vincent A. Musacchio.—JT Walter Scott Medal - September 14, 2013 As everyone knows, firefighting is a very dangerous, but rewarding profession. Many Firefighters can have a long, outstanding career without ever making a successful rescue. Timing and being in the right place are critical to many heroic rescues. Such was the case at a fire in the Bronx when FF Vincent Musacchio was in position to attempt a rescue of a trapped man. He faced a tough challenge, but proved he was able to overcome any and all obstacles. On September 14, 2013, at 0605 hours, the Bronx Communication Office received a phone alarm for a building fire. This information was transmitted to local units, including Ladder 32. FF Musacchio was aware that early-morning fires in occupied multiple dwellings generally are an indication that people are trapped and in need of assistance. While en route, Ladder 32 was alerted by the dispatcher of a serious fire at this location. The members of this unit were prepared for any assignment given to them. Through company drills and other training, they were taught to expect the unexpected. Shortly after arrival and operating at this fire, the unexpected occurred. The fire building is a six-story, non-fireproof, Class 3, 75- by 100-foot, occupied multiple dwelling. On arrival, members were confronted with a smoke condition on various floors throughout the building. Additionally, fire was venting out an apartment window on the fifth floor and a heavy smoke condition was noticed pushing out of other windows of this fire apartment. At this time, the first-arriving units notified the dispatcher to send additional units because of the serious conditions encountered. As Ladder 32 members entered the building, fleeing occupants informed Captain Patrick Tracy that people were still in the fire apartment. The Captain, along with his forcible entry team of FFs Musacchio and Ryan Blackwell, rushed up the smoke-filled stairway to the interior door of the fire apartment. After forcing open the apartment door, this rescue team was met with a heavy fire condition in the kitchen area, high heat and zero visibility due to the smoke. They quickly donned their self-contained breathing apparatus because of the hazardous conditions in the interior hallway. At this time, the engine’s charged hose-line was not yet in place, so they attempted to hold the fire in check with the unit’s water can, while FF Musacchio searched the apartment for trapped occupants. Sensing the urgency and without the protection of a charged hose-line, FF Musacchio crawled past the spreading fire, searching each room until he came to the rear bedroom. He crawled around this very hot and smoke-filled bedroom, knowing that there was a good chance that an occupant would be located in this area. He came upon a bed and while sweeping it and touching the bed, FF Musacchio found an unconscious male adult. He notified his Officer in command and then began the arduous task of attempting to remove this victim as quickly as

possible to lessen his injuries. FF Musacchio dragged and then carried the victim toward the front entrance of the apartment. As he got close to the spreading fire, the Firefighter used his body as a shield to protect the victim. Once outside the apartment and in the safety of the interior hallway, he handed the victim off to waiting EMS personnel. Regrettably, the victim ultimately expired. FF Musacchio used his courage, tenacity and dedication to overcome all obstacles to effect this rescue. For his initiative,bravery and heroic actions, without the protection of a charged hose-line and without regard for his own safety, the Fire Department is proud to honor FF Vincent A. Musacchio with the Walter Scott Medal.-- Trivia answer(s) #1 - The photo was of FF John “Spike” Lawless and his wife Eileen on their wedding day. #2 - The photo of the fire equipment was a simple weight, or “anchor” if you will - used to keep the horses from pulling the steamer away at the fire scene. As soon as possible, the horses were unhitched and taken to a safer area – but in the meantime, they were weighted down and covered with blankets to protect their skin from hot sparks and embers from the fire box of the steamer meant to extinguish fires! Seen below is an example in a photo taken recently at the Bare Cove Fire Museum in Hingham, MA

From the Tailboard… We wish everyone a happy holiday season and our best wishes for a healthy and prosperous New Year!

Information Please submit any information, photographs, or narratives for inclusion in the Company Journal to hsmith@cambridgefire.org or Hmaxims@aol.com E-mail list If any retirees or friends of the Cambridge Fire Department wish to be added to the Company Journal e-mail list, send us the e-mail address! Websites Visit the Cambridge Fire Department website at www.Cambridgefire.org Check out Cambridge Firefighters Local 30's website at http://www.cambridgelocal30.org/ Visit the Cambridge Retirement Board website at http://www.cambridgeretirementma.gov/index.asp

REMEMBER THE MEN AND WOMEN SERVING IN OUR ARMED SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

THEY ARE PROTECTING OUR COUNTRY, OUR LIBERTY, AND OUR FREEDOM.

THANK OUR VETERANS!

Brothers and Sisters, STAY BRAVE!

STAY VIGILANT! STAY SAFE!

-hts